Sustainable in the Suburbs

Sarah Robertson-Barnes
  • 4.6 (11)
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Want to waste less, save money, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick. Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home. Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact.  Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.

  1. 1D AGO

    50: Practical(ly) Zero Waste with Elsbeth Callaghan

    Back in 2020, I was a guest on the now inactive podcast Practical(ly) Zero Waste, hosted by Elsbeth Callaghan. At the time, my kids were little, the zero waste movement online was deep in its “trash jar” era, and many of us were trying to figure out what sustainable living looked like outside of perfectly curated Instagram squares. Six years later, a lot has changed. Kids are older, life looks different, and both of us have let go of a lot of the pressure and aesthetics that surrounded zero waste in those early online days. But underneath all of that, the values are still very much the same. In this full-circle conversation for Episode 50 of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Elsbeth and I talk about what sustainable living looks like now: parenting teenagers and young kids, balancing low waste goals with real life, navigating burnout and social media, building community, and why consistency matters a whole lot more than perfection. We also talk about what we’ve kept, what we’ve let go of, and how many of the “small shifts” we started years ago have quietly become lifelong habits. Takeaways Why sustainable living looks very different after years of actually living itThe shift from perfection and aesthetics toward values and consistencyRaising eco-conscious kids through everyday habits rather than pressureHow composting, secondhand shopping, and reusables became family routinesThe connection between sustainability, community, and raising responsible citizensWhy slowing down is often the most sustainable choiceHow “eco-frugal” living can save money while reducing wasteNavigating low waste living with celiac disease and accessibility needsOne Small Shift You can always start again. Even if you’ve fallen out of old habits, even if life looks completely different now, small intentional changes still matter. Start with one thing that feels manageable and build from there. Resources Practical(ly) Zero Waste PZW - Ep. 69: Raising Eco Kids Inkwood Print Shop Related Episodes 4: How to Conduct a Household Waste Audit 11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women’s Personal Finance 12: How to Quit Using Amazon (and Why You Should) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    50 min

  2. MAY 12

    49: Less Stuff, Less Stress — Sustainable Living with Kids (In Real Life)

    In this episode, I’m talking about what sustainable living with kids actually looks like in real life. Not the Instagram version — the real version. The conversations, the habits, the overwhelm, the convenience culture, and the small shifts that slowly become part of how your family moves through the world. Takeaways Kids learn consumption habits by watching usSustainable living with kids is about buying less, not buying “eco” productsConvenience culture is deeply connected to overwhelm and mental loadSmall habits shape how kids think about waste, spending, and consumptionInvolving kids in the “why” helps sustainability become a mindsetSustainability conversations naturally deepen as kids growIt’s never too late to start having these conversations as a familyOne Small Shift Have a family conversation about consumption, waste, or sustainability this week. Ask your kids what they notice, what they care about, and what ideas they have. You might be surprised by the answers. Resources 10 Tips for Going Zero With Kids How to Do a Trash Audit With Kids Thrift Shopping for Kids How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids Becoming a Zero Waste Family How to Pack a Zero Waste School Lunch Related Episodes Ep. 16: Sustainable Living with Kids — Save Money and Reduce Waste with Jessica Nakamura Ep. 17: How to Raise Eco-Friendly Kids with Talayna Zacharias Ep. 22: From Refills to Resilience — Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell Ep. 32: Overstimulation, Overconsumption, and the Pressure to Do More with Gillian Gabryluk Ep. 40 – How to Host a Zero Waste Birthday Party for Kids  Ep. 46: How to Talk to Kids About Climate Change with Brittany Jefferson Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    24 min

  3. APR 28

    48: Overwhelmed by Sustainable Living Advice? Start Here (with Alexa Pavan)

    Sustainability advice is everywhere — and even when you care, even when you’re trying to pay attention, it can be hard to know what actually matters. In this episode, I’m joined by Alexa Pavan of Go Green With Alexa, a climate communicator and copywriter who’s focused on making sustainability more understandable, more approachable, and a lot more connected to real life. We talk about what it looks like to move through all of that information — how to figure out what’s credible, what’s actually helpful, and how to take those bigger ideas and bring them into your day-to-day life. From composting and food waste to media literacy and community action, this conversation is about finding your footing in a space that can feel overwhelming and remembering that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated to matter. Takeaways Sustainability advice can feel overwhelming — slowing down and checking sources helps you build confidence in what you’re seeing and sharing.Food waste is one of the most impactful places to start, both environmentally and financially.Composting is a powerful way to reduce waste, especially when it’s supported at a larger, community level.Sustainable living looks different in every household — it needs to fit your life to stick.Small, everyday choices can extend beyond the home and shape communities and local systems.Civic engagement is part of building greener communities.Creativity and problem-solving are part of sustainable living.One Small Shift Start paying attention to what’s around you. Get curious about the life cycle of an object near you. Building awareness is the first step toward making more intentional choices. Connect With Alexa Website Instagram YouTube Resources Household Waste Audit Workbook (free resource) How to Prevent Food Waste With Kids (blog post) 11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps (blog post) Related Episodes 24: 5 Sustainable Living Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead) 45: Food Waste Is Costing You — How to Spend Less on Groceries with Chelsey Schmuland 46: How to Understand Climate Change (and Talk About It With Your Kids) with Brittany Jefferson Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    1 hr

  4. APR 21

    47: Eco-Friendly Bathroom Swaps That Save You Money and Reduce Waste

    Bathroom swaps are one of the most common entry points into sustainable living — but they can also be one of the most overwhelming. There are so many products, so many recommendations, and so much pressure to replace everything all at once. In this episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m talking about what it actually looks like to approach sustainable bathroom swaps in a way that’s doable, practical, and budget-friendly. The focus is on using what you already have, reducing repeat purchases, and making changes that actually stick in real life. We dig into how much waste is coming from the bathroom, why so many of these items are designed to be used and replaced quickly, and how shifting your approach can naturally reduce both waste and spending over time. I also walk through what has (and hasn’t) worked in my own routine — from bar soap and toothpaste to deodorant and other everyday products — and why simplifying your routine can often be more impactful than swapping everything out. Takeaways Why the bathroom is a major source of household waste Start with what you already have instead of buying new “eco swaps”Which sustainable bathroom swaps tend to work in real life (and which don’t always)Simplify your routine instead of adding more productsHow small, consistent changes can reduce waste without overhauling everythingOne Small Shift Take an inventory of what you already have in your bathroom and focus on finishing those products first. From there, you can make more intentional choices about what you actually want to replace (and what you don’t). Resources Eco-Friendly Bathroom Swaps (blog post) Related Episodes 4: How to Do a Household Waste Audit 8: 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps for Sustainable Living 9: Skincare, Sustainability, and Self-Care with Rebecca Ogilvie 10: How to Refill in Your Own Containers for a Plastic-Free Pantry 22: From Refills to Resilience — Simple, Real-Life Sustainable Living with Julie Darrell 38: Things I Don’t Buy Anymore — Eco-Frugal Shifts That Reduce Waste and Save Money Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    24 min

  5. APR 14

    46: How to Understand Climate Change (and Talk About It With Your Kids) with Brittany Jefferson

    We spend a lot of time talking about climate change — but not nearly enough time understanding it. Most of us were never really taught how to understand it, especially in a way that connects it to history, systems, power, and the everyday decisions we’re making. This week, I’m joined by Brittany Jefferson, an educator and founder of EJ EDU, to talk about climate literacy — what it means, why it matters, and how it shapes the way we think about everything from education to environmental justice. We talk about why climate can’t just live in science class, what’s missing from how it’s typically taught, and how understanding the bigger picture can change the way we approach sustainability. We also bring this into everyday life — from raising kids and navigating climate anxiety to having conversations at home and taking local climate action. Takeaways What climate literacy actually means Why social studies, history, and systems thinking are essential to understanding climate changeEnvironmental justice and who is most affected by the systems we live inThe role of education as a climate solutionHow kids are already engaging with climate — from curiosity to overwhelmWays to approach climate conversations at home in age-appropriate, grounded waysNavigating the tension between individual action and systemic changeOne Small Shift Download the Climate Venn Diagram. It’s a simple but powerful way to figure out where your skills, your interests, and the needs of the world overlap — and where you can focus your time and energy. Connect with Brittany Instagram Patreon Teachers Pay Teachers Resources All We Can Save – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book) What If We Get It Right? – Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (book) How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change - Harriet Shugarman (book) Earth Matters (educational game) Related Episodes Ep. 5: How to Navigate Climate Emotions with Jen Knoch Ep. 7: Rethinking Zero Waste with April Dickinson Ep. 42: Overwhelmed by Climate Change? The Climate Venn Diagram Can Help Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    1h 4m

  6. APR 7

    45: Food Waste Is Costing You — How to Spend Less on Groceries with Chelsey Schmuland

    You’re not just wasting food — you’re throwing money in the trash. This week I’m joined by returning guest Chelsey Schmuland, and we’re digging into one of the most overlooked ways to save money on groceries: reducing food waste. Chelsey is the maker behind Hive to Home, where she creates handmade beeswax wraps as a reusable alternative to plastic food storage. She’s also a grocery budgeting queen and food rescue enthusiast. We talk about how much food we’re actually wasting (and what that costs), how food rescue apps can dramatically transform your grocery budget, and why proper storage makes a bigger difference than you might think. If you’re trying to spend less, waste less, and make your kitchen work better for you — this episode is packed with strategies you can start using right away. Takeaways Food waste is one of the fastest ways to lose money on groceries — often without realizing itFood rescue is a practical way to cut your grocery billProper storage — especially breathable storage — helps food last longerBeeswax wraps are a reusable, plastic-free way to keep food freshPlanning for leftovers and using scraps can stretch your groceries budgetStrategies on how to (re)use and store almost everythingComposting helps close the loop — but keeping food in use is the goalOne Small Shift Before you shop this week, check the reduced section or a food rescue app first — and build one meal around what you find. Connect with Chelsey Website Instagram Resources A Beginner’s Guide to a Sustainable Kitchen (use code PODCAST20) 11 Ways to Reuse Food Scraps How to Prevent Food Waste with Kids How to Use Beeswax Wraps (and Keep Food Fresh Without Plastic) Flashfood (use code is SUST7K8EA for $5 off) Too Good to Go  Odd Bunch Souper Cubes Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    1h 8m

  7. MAR 31

    44: How to Start Birding in Your Backyard (and Help Birds During Nesting Season)

    Spring is when the birds get loud again. You hear them before you see them — in the morning, in the trees, and in the background of your day. If you’ve ever thought about getting into birding, this is a really natural place to start — right outside your door. In this episode, we’re talking about how to start birding in your own backyard, how to identify common birds by sight and sound, what’s happening during nesting season, and how to support birds in ways that genuinely help. There’s a lot of advice out there this time of year — and not all of it is as helpful as it sounds. So we’ll also walk through what to avoid, common bird hazards in suburban spaces, and simple ways to support backyard biodiversity and habitat. Takeaways How to start birding right in your own backyardWhy birdsong supports mental well-beingHow to identify birds by sight and sound (using Merlin Bird ID)What citizen science is — and how to take partA look inside Project NestWatch and nesting seasonHow to join the Great Backyard Bird CountWhy common nesting materials (like yarn and dryer lint) can harm birdsWhat birds actually need: habitat, not materialsCommon bird hazards (windows, cats, habitat loss)Simple ways to support backyard biodiversityOne Small Shift Leave your earphones at home for one walk this week and just listen. Learn to identify one bird by sound and tell me who it is! Resources: Safe Nesting Materials for Birds (blog post) Merlin Bird ID Birds Canada - Project NestWatch Birds Canada - SwiftWatch Great Backyard Bird Count Wild Birds Unlimited Feather Friendly Related Episodes: Ep. 18: Connecting Communities Through Green Spaces with Carolyn Scotchmer Ep. 20: Wildlife Conservation, Birding, and Finding Hope in Nature with Matt Howard Ep. 25: Redefining Sustainable Living — From Zero Waste to Real-World Resilience Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    27 min

  8. MAR 24

    43: Making Sustainable Living Accessible in the Suburbs with Laura Newton of Kind Matter

    What does sustainable living actually look like in the suburbs — in places designed around cars, convenience, and big box shopping? Laura Newton is the founder of The Kind Matter Company, a Canadian eco-boutique and refill store focused on low waste living, eco friendly products, and non-toxic household essentials. What began as a personal search for safer products after her daughter developed severe allergies has grown into a retail business built around making sustainable living more accessible for everyday families. Kind Matter now has multiple locations across Ontario, including a flagship store in Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre — a typical suburban shopping plaza where refillable products, Canadian brands, and plastic-free options sit alongside everyday errands. This conversation explores how refill stores and low waste shopping fit into suburban life, what customers are actually looking for, and how eco friendly products become part of real, everyday routines — without requiring a complete lifestyle overhaul. Takeaways Why accessibility is one of the biggest barriers to sustainable living and low waste livingWhat customers are most curious — and hesitant — about when they first encounter refill stores and refill systemsWhy cleaning products are often the gateway into refilling and eco friendly home swapsHow placing refill shops inside suburban shopping plazas changes everyday shopping habitsThe role Canadian and women-owned brands play in Kind Matter’s product curationThe importance of community-focused sustainability and local shopping in suburban areasConnect With Laura The Kind Matter Company Terra Greenhouses Products Mentioned Birch Babe Cheekbone Beauty The Bare Home Notice Hair Co. (see in store) Routine Cream (see in store) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    47 min
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Trailer

4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Want to waste less, save money, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick. Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home. Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact.  Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Robertson-Barnes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sustainable in the Suburbs
  • Show Website
    Sustainable in the Suburbs

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